No interest in decorating for that particular event at all. And I stopped opening my doors for trick and treaters when teenagers began showing up in droves, not wearing costumes but holding out big shopping bags. Heck, you'd think that the guys would at least shave!

We, like many others, turn the porch light off on Halloween.

But, we have nearby neighbors with small kids so I've been baking and decorating cookies that I'll take over to them the day before (reminding everybody that we "won't be home " on Halloween.

The little girl across the street, a darling 8 year old who's company I greatly enjoy, asked if I was making cookies this year and then asked if she could come over and help. That will make it twice as much fun for me. :-)

I used to get about 150 kids, but there is a party at school now, so they all go there. I loved it when they all went out trick or treating. My "decor" is very simple.....a couple of little acorn figurines, a mesh pumpkin, and three gourds on the table.

Yes we do a little bit of decorating and enjoy the little ones who come to trick or treat. We sit outside and watch for them. One year a lady came with little kids and she said I remember coming to your house when I was a little kid. We both felt so old. lol We are lucky to have about 10 kids. We live in the middle of the block and my neighbors turn their lights out. They don't give out any candy.
Mary

I haven't decorated in years since my kids are grown and gone. Seems like we get fewer kids each year and it only lasts 1.5 hours tops. There were 75 kids on our block alone when my kids were little. Now, I only get maybe 20-30 kids...and most I don't know. We may be away for the first time this Halloween.

We have no trick or treaters. Instead the church up on the corner hosts a "trunk and treat". The adults and their vehicles are dressed up and they pass out candy to the children. It is safer that way for everyone.

I don't have any kids, but I started decorating a number of years ago when my next door neighbor kids asked if I was going to decorate. Sure, why not? Then I really got into it and I've added things here and there over the years. I get about 100 kids every year and only once have I had the older kids come in an aggressive way and I told them to take a hike!! The little ones are so much fun to see. And they know my dogs and always like to see them too.

Here is another picture from a different year. I like to mix it up. LOL

This post was edited by murraysmom on Thu, Oct 16, 14 at 10:27

Heck yea! Our whole neighborhood decorates. It's our block party. Totally fun. There are adults sitting on lawns with more mature beverages and tubs filled with candy for the youngins. Loads of socializing on all levels. It rained last year, and we're in flash flooding right now, so I am double hoping it won't rain this year. I'm ready for a dry, cool night of frolicking and enjoying! As long as the teenagers are well behaved and wearing costumes, they're welcome at my house. Mind you, I don't get trick or treaters any more, since I now live at the bottom of a steep drive and on the backside of the house. But I would. I have. I just bring it to the top of the drive and join in.

It's not my favorite holiday, but when I was a kid I loved to get dressed up. My mom was creative with my costumes, and I tried to be the same with my own children's.

We never get trick-or-treaters on our road, which is more than fine with me. But now that I have my little grandsons living next door, I'm thinking I should do something about decorating. They won't get candy from Grammy, but I bought them a couple of Halloween books.

Oh, and every two years I go to a big Halloween party. This year I'm dressing as "cloudy with a chance of showers," an idea I picked up on a GardenWeb forum.

We have a big halloween party every year. One year we were close to 80 attendees. We've just started decorating this past weekend, and have a ways to go. I have set up the giant spider that guards the end of our driveway, shown here from a previous year.

and this fine lady was set up in a corner of the living room

I have no kids and don't decorate but I do have some autumn decorations on the front porch (Indian corn, pumpkins, etc). We get about 50 kids and it's fun seeing all the costumes.

'I stopped opening my doors for trick and treaters when teenagers began showing up in droves'

yep.

but in my case, they pushed the door open & reached in & grabbed big handfuls of candy.

skeered me.

Something my BIL sent me. :)

I have a lot of decorations, but it is so windy, I like to wait to set it up until last minute. My zinnias were getting ugly so I pulled them yesterday. The kids put out a few tombstones to fill in the gaps. The poor dog has been terrified of the scary stuff like squeaky rats and giant spiders.

My big rat talks and wiggles if you press his belly. He has 3 gross things he says and belches. The little boys next door always come to ask when I will be putting the rat out. They sit and press and giggle.

too busy a a street and no sidewalk, so never have had t or t'ers...

btw for those who do indulge? have you heard about the teal pumpkins or signs for kids who are diabetic? it lets them know they can get some treat (like a small toy. ect,) instead of candy...

You might give out individual packages of microwave popcorn or peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers.

or toothbrushes...

I don't decroate except some years I may carve a pumpkin to sit on the front stoop. We keep a bowl of candy treats for "trick or treators" and turn on the front light. Our community has short hours during trick or treat night.

Now that my daughters are grown, I decorate forHalloween on the day of Halloween.

After my first experience with kids either grabbing the candy or fishing through my caldron, I started making goodie bags. I drop one in each bag, get to oooo and ahh over the costumes, done!

We get about 75 to 100. They come in large groups so maybe I answer the door 10 times.

It really isn't fun because I don't know most of the kids. I used to love seeing my kids friends and the moms would all text each other when they saw each other's children.

Sylvia, too funny about toothbrushes.... word would get around and you would be GUARANTEED to never have to deal with the kids again! :)

I own a house on the block in the tiny village where I grew up... funny that I remember the owner then always leaving a bushel basket of *soft*/wrinkled apples out on the porch for kids to take on Halloween. I loved apples but even I didn't bother to take a soft/wrinkled one! :O)